Govt urged to enforce existing child social media laws

Online safety expert, Noeline Blackwell, has urged the Irish government to enforce existing child social media laws instead of waiting for new European Union legislation. Blackwell, the Online Safety Coordinator with the Children's Rights Alliance, believes that the necessary legislation is already in place and that companies and regulators need to take notice and act.

Meta, the parent company of Instagram and TikTok, is headquartered in Ireland, along with other major social media companies like Snapchat. Blackwell advocates for a whole-of-Europe approach to ensure that social media platforms are made safer, potentially through the existing legislation.

The European Commission has identified Meta's Facebook and Instagram, as well as TikTok, as posing risks of addiction and being accessible to underage users. Blackwell emphasized the need for a time limit on the companies' responses and for them to fix the issues more quickly.

Irish President Ursula von der Leyen has recognized that European children are at risk online and that the EU is not doing enough. She has welcomed the proposed EU Kids Act, which includes a ban on social media use for under-13s, limited use for under-15s, and safer-by-design social media apps.

The tech industry currently allows the deployment of unsafe products in the EU, but Blackwell argues that companies should demonstrate safety beforehand. She also believes that regulations on gaming and AI companions should be included in the proposed legislation.

Teenagers are already actively using social media, often before the recommended age. Some of these teens have expressed regret over starting so young, citing dangers such as harassment, bullying, and exposure to harmful content. Politicians are increasingly concerned about the impact of social media on teenagers, acknowledging its potential to cause harm, insecurities, and even lead to tragic outcomes like suicide.